Heritage homes are sought after by homebuyers for a number of reasons including serious curb appeal, unique designs, and keeping history alive in the community. Older houses can be an excellent investment – as rental properties for those who find heritage homes appealing but prefer to rent; have better resale value; and often occupy prime real estate. If buying a historic home feels like a dream come true, here are some things you might like to know before signing on the dotted line.
What is a historic home?
A heritage home is a residential property that a governing body such as a municipal (local) government or a historical society deems to have historical and/or cultural significance and therefore is worth preserving. A single house or a group of buildings on the same street or in the same area can be designated as a heritage property due to unique landscaping, significant architectural features, or a specific connection to historic figures.
Historic homes have good bones.
Historic homes were built to last. Craftsmanship and attention to detail are exemplary. They were constructed using tried and true building methods and quality, handcrafted materials, resulting in a heritage home that has good bones.
Renovations are subject to rules.
A homebuyer renovating a heritage home has to follow bylaws, rules, or regulations that have been established in order to preserve the historic value of the home. These regulations could limit the colour choices of the home’s exterior; the materials used for siding and gutters; or restrict changes that can be made to the design of the house or to its architectural detail and decoration.
Historic homes can be challenging to renovate.
Whether you DIY or hire a contract, a heritage home can be challenging to renovate. When purchasing products for repairs or a home renovation project, it might be difficult to find contemporary materials that will maintain historic sensibilities. If you’re not DIYing, it can also be challenging to find a contractor who is familiar with materials and methods used in different historical time periods.
Historic homes often need upgrading.
While a heritage home might be structurally sound, they often need upgrading. Because they were built decades before current building codes, systems such as electrical, plumbing, and heating require upgrading to bring them up to code. Older homes also have other issues that will need to be addressed either before finalizing the sale or after you own the home. Before buying a heritage home check the following:
Faulty wiring Poor plumbing Inefficient heating Asbestos and lead paint Mold Water damage Drafts Historic homes typically cost more.
Depending on the history of the home or its historical significance, the house itself might cost a homebuyer more than a similar-sized house in another neighbourhood. Particularly if the historic home has been well-maintained throughout the years, the sellers could ask a premium price.
You will want to factor in home renovation costs and upgrades, enough to cover the costs of special or higher quality materials for window, roof, entry door, or exterior trim replacements.
Maintaining a heritage home is generally more labour-intensive than that of a modern home.
You will most likely pay more for insurance due to higher repair and maintenance costs.
Get a home inspection.
A home inspection is essential for the homebuyer of a heritage property. A good inspection from a reputable company that is familiar with historic homes will eliminate the number of surprises that might be revealed when you want to replace the chandelier in the dining room or renovate the upstairs bathroom.
Financial incentives for homebuyers.
For homebuyers that are interested in buying a historic property, there are financial incentives available. Possible incentives include grants, tax breaks, and lower interest loans. What bonuses will be awarded largely depends on where the home is located.


It is a great privilege to be able to help individuals and families improve their relationships, soften emotional pain, express themselves, or simply embark on new life journeys. Over the years, I’ve worked with those who have struggled with various challenges and I’ve developed a wide range of techniques to address them. However, I believe that having a relationship built on trust with my clients is more important than any technique. My experience has shown me that whatever painful challenges we may go through, the human power of resilience and love is much stronger. And together, I believe we can work through anything!


Data from a non-randomised study have hinted that in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), thrombolysis followed by heparin more rapidly reverses right-ventricular dysfunction and restores pulmonary tissue perfusion than does heparin alone. We have pursued this idea in a randomised protocol. 46 haemodynamically stable patients were randomised to recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase, rt-PA) 100 mg over 2 h followed by intravenous heparin and 55 to heparin alone. Right-ventricular wall motion was assessed qualitatively, and right-ventricular end diastolic area was estimated by planimetry from echocardiograms at baseline and at 3 and 24 hours. Pulmonary perfusion scans were obtained at baseline and 24 hours. In 39% of rt-PA patients but in only 17% of heparin alone patients right-ventricular wall motion at 24 hours had improved from baseline and in 2% and 17%, respectively, it worsened (p = 0.005). rt-PA patients also had a significant decrease in right-ventricular end-diastolic area during the 24 hours after randomisation and a significant absolute improvement in pulmonary perfusion (14.6% vs 1.5%). No clinical episodes of recurrent PE were noted among rt-PA patients, but there were 2 fatal and 3 non-fatal clinically suspected recurrent PEs within 14 days in patients randomised to heparin alone. rt-PA rapidly improves right-ventricular function and pulmonary perfusion among patients with PE and may lead to a lower rate of adverse clinical outcomes.


29-10-2021
Dr Cerith Jones
Researchers in the Genetic and Molecular Research group have had a paper published in the Society for Applied Microbiology (SfAM). The SfAM journals feature evidence-based reviews and original research papers and implement best practice in scientific publishing with a rigorous peer-review process.
The rise in antibiotic resistance requires the reduction of antibiotic use in all sectors. In animal production, many commercial alternatives to antibiotics have been developed for incorporation into feeds, but a lack of evidence on their antibacterial activity limits confidence in their application. In the paper, authors Dr Cerith Jones, PhD student Charlotte Neath and Naheeda Portocarero aim to compare the antibacterial activity of feed additives and active ingredients to better understand their usefulness.
The antibacterial activity of 34 active ingredients and feed additives, including medium- and short-chain organic acids and essential oils, was tested against pure cultures of five bacterial swine pathogens. Antibacterial activity was observed using an agar plug diffusion method and quantified via broth microdilution. A diverse range of antibacterial activities were observed. The highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus suis was exhibited by the C12 monoglyceride (0.49 mg ml−1). The monoglyceride of C12 was more effective than C12:0 against Strep. suis, but neither C12:0 nor its monoglyceride showed efficacy against the gram-negative micro-organisms tested. The most active against Escherichia coli were the C6:0 medium-chain organic acids and potassium diformate (1.95 mg ml−1). For Salmonella Typhimurium, potassium diformate, sodium diformate, and a blend of C8:0/C10:0 (each 1.96 mg ml−1), and for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, eugenol (0.49 mg ml−1) showed the most promising activity.
Dr Cerith Jones, a molecular microbiologist, said: "We identified broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, such as the C6:0 MCOA, and those with interesting narrow-spectrum activity, notably the killing of Strep. suis by C12 monoglyceride. We have identified additives that show the most promising bioactivity against specific pathogens.
"We broadly compare a large collection of feed additives and active ingredients for their antibacterial activity against a diverse panel of bacterial swine pathogens," continued Dr Jones. "This provides a solid base of evidence which can drive the development of feed supplementation strategies with the aim of reducing dependency on antibiotic use in swine production."
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One-pot cooked dishes are always delicious because the essence of each ingredient used in them blends perfectly. However, when classifying the best one-pot dishes, jambalaya should rank at the top because of its unique spicy taste and tangy flavor.
Jambalaya is an ancient recipe, with its origins dating back to the early 1700s. Initially, there were two variants of the jambalaya, the Cajun and the Creole. Both these recipes centered on bell peppers, celery, and onions. Whereas Cajun is a brown concoction, Creole takes a red hue because of its tomato content. Anyway, it is too delicious an item to throw away if you have leftovers. So, can we search for preservation options? Is it possible to keep jambalaya refrigerated?
Can You Freeze Jambalaya?
Jambalaya is not the quickest dish to prepare. So, it is natural for anyone to prepare excess jambalaya and preserve it for later consumption. So, freezing jambalaya is a viable option, but with strings attached. Here are a couple of aspects you need to be careful of when freezing jambalaya.
The rice can get mushy if you are not careful when preparing jambalaya. Secondly, shrimp, a common ingredient in jambalaya, can get chewy.
Before discussing how to freeze jambalaya, let us resolve these issues first. Then, it can help us freeze jambalaya better.
You have two options for dealing with rice and preventing it from becoming stodgy. One is to add the rice later during the reheating process. The rice remains fresh and tasty to eat. Secondly, you can undercook the rice initially and freeze it with jambalaya. The rice cooks well when you reheat it before serving. You deal with shrimp similarly. The first option is to leave the shrimp and add them fresh later when reheating. Alternatively, you can freeze shrimp separately and add it when you reheat the jambalaya. How Do You Freeze Jambalaya?
We suggest you deal with the rice and the shrimp before preparing the jambalaya. However, if you have fully cooked jambalaya leftovers with rice and shrimp, please note that it does not freeze well. The shrimp can turn chewy and the rice mushy. However, you can remove the shrimp and freeze the jambalaya. Removing the rice can be challenging, but you can minimize the damage by removing as much moisture and air from the freezing containers as possible.
We suggest using vacuum sealers to remove the air and moisture to prevent the rice from getting mushy. Here is how you do it.
Arrange the rice inside the vacuum sealer bag, but please ensure not overfill it. We advise leaving three to five inches of space at the top of the bag. Place the vacuum sealing bag flat on the counter and start the sealing process. Once sealed, you can place it inside the freezer for freezing.
If you do not have a vacuum sealer, a ziplock freezer bag can work, but you must remove excess air manually. Place the ziplock bag into another freezer bag and seal it properly to prevent freezer burn. Alternatively, you can wrap the ziplock freezer bag in aluminum foil tightly. The objective is to avoid exposure to air and moisture.
How To Freeze Jambalaya Without The Rice And Shrimp?
The ideal freezing method is to prepare the jambalaya without the rice and the shrimp. Then, you can freeze the dish and add the ingredients subsequently.
Cool the jambalaya to room temperature and separate it into individual consumable portions before freezing. Place the individual portions into different ziplock bags. Remove air from the ziplock bags before sealing them airtight. Leaving some space at the top is recommended because the jambalaya can expand during freezing. Note the freezing date on the bag and place it inside the freezer to freeze. How Long Can Frozen Jambalaya Retain Its Flavor And Taste? If you had frozen jambalaya with rice and shrimp, it is not advisable to freeze it for more than a month. Otherwise, the rice can become mushy and affect the jambalaya’s texture. Otherwise, jambalaya can remain frozen for three months without compromising its taste and flavor. How Do You Defrost Jambalaya?
Defrosting the jambalaya before reheating is crucial. The ideal defrosting method is removing it from the freezer and placing it inside the fridge. This process allows natural thawing, but it consumes time. Ideally, you can start the process overnight, and the defrosted jambalaya will be ready the following morning.
Maintaining a cool temperature during defrosting is beneficial in preventing bacterial contamination.
However, if you have frozen the jambalaya in vacuum-sealed bags, you can drop the bag into boiling water to thaw properly during the defrosting process.
How Do You Reheat Jambalaya?
You can reheat jambalaya in three ways.
– On defrosting the jambalaya, transfer it to a microwave-safe container. Please cover with a damp paper towel. It should not take much time to microwave jambalaya. However, we advise stirring the jambalaya halfway through the process. Finally, allow the jambalaya to stand for some time before serving. In the microwave – The first step is preheating the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Please transfer the thawed jambalaya into an oven-safe dish and sprinkle some water or broth over it to prevent it from drying out. Cover it with an aluminum foil and heat it inside the oven for half an hour. Please check whether it has heated uniformly before serving. In the oven – This method is the best if you decide to add shrimp and rice later. Transfer the jambalaya into a frying pan and heat it on the stovetop at medium to low settings. You can add water or broth to the mixture. It is the right time to add rice and shrimp to the jambalaya. Serve it hot to enjoy its taste the best. On the stovetop Can You Refreeze Jambalaya?
We do not recommend freezing jambalaya more than once because repeated freezing can damage its texture leading to wastage.
Can You Freeze Sausage Jambalaya?
You can freeze sausage jambalaya the way described here.
Can You Freeze Chorizo Jambalaya?
Since the rice does not freeze well, it is better to refrigerate chorizo jambalaya rather than freeze it. But, you can freeze chorizo jambalaya.
Can You Freeze Pasta Jambalaya?
You can freeze pasta jambalaya, but we suggest freezing the pasta and the jambalaya separately before mixing during the reheating procedure.
Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken Jambalaya?
It is possible to freeze cooked chicken jambalaya the way discussed here.
Can You Freeze Seafood Jambalaya?
Yes, you can freeze seafood jambalaya, but after following the precautions discussed here.
Final Thoughts
Jambalaya is among the tastiest foods because the ingredients cook together in a single pot. Preserving should not be a problem because jambalaya freezes well if you take the precautions discussed in this article.
Can you freeze jambalaya? Yes, you can do so.


The San Pedro Cactus is the common name for hallucinogenic members of the Trichocereus genus. It's a columnar cactus that can reach 20 feet in height and contains mescaline. Huachuma is one of Peru's most sacred plants, alongside tobacco and coca.
Other psychotropic alkaloids have also been discovered in the San Pedro Cactus. The skin, which can be dried, peeled, and ground into a powder, includes the highest concentration of mescaline. San Pedro cactus is also known as Huachuma.
The San Pedro Cactus has been used in Peru for more than 4000 years. Archeological evidence was discovered near the Cordillera Blanca Mountain range in Peru, once home to the Chavin civilization. This demonstrates the long-term use of huachuma in Peru. The Chavin was Peru's first developed civilization, and they had a significant influence on all subsequent civilizations in the region, including the Inca.
San Pedro has been ingested by Andean cultures for thousands of years for
healing, religious divination, and spiritual awakenings. Chavin Lore
According to the earliest evidence, humans first used it in approximately 1300 BC. A stone carving depicting a supernatural creature holding San Pedro Cactus can be found in a temple dating to the ancient Chavin culture in Northern Peru. This would be a shaky but intriguing link to the Chavin people who ate San Pedro. The discovery of 3000-year-old San Pedro cigars at the exact location provides ample evidence for scientists to prove its use.
Another example is a stone engraving depicting a "huachumero" (a shaman who works with huachuma) holding a San Pedro Cactus. The carving, according to archeologists, dates from 1500 B.C. or earlier. Huachuma is still used in northern Chile, Ecuador, and Bolivia, where many still follow the traditional Chavn customs. Many religious artworks of figures holding the San Pedro cactus were produced by the Chavin tribe, making it the oldest known hallucinogenic medicine.
Another artwork, of an owl-faced woman holding a cactus, dates from 1200 AD and is carved on a ceramic pitcher from the Chim culture. It's believed that the owl is a patron spirit and guardian of herbalists and shamans.
Spanish Lore
During the Spanish Invasion, when Roman Catholic authorities claimed South America as their own, they attempted to prohibit the native people's use of huachuma. This endeavor only served to encourage individuals to keep their ceremonies private. This explains why huachuma rites begin after midnight. Huachuma became known as "San Pedro" (Saint Peter) after the Spanish occupation. St. Peter is the Christian saint who "holds the keys to heaven." According to legend, using San Pedro can assist the person in reaching heaven while still on Earth, or Sand Pedro is the key to heaven.


Imagine this:
You have started to make healthier food choices, but your spouse hasn't come on board.
You have been following a consistent exercise routine, but others in the family continue their sedentary lifestyles.
You have prioritized sleep and follow a strict "no-devices-after-9PM" rule, but others binge-watch Netflix until 1 AM.
It gets frustrating when we go through these experiences. I often go through such emotions and react instantly, but over time, I have realized the following:
The reason behind such frustrations is due to the expectation we have of others. Years back, when I went for an AOL program, I learned this valuable insight - "Expectations reduce joy, surprises enhance joy". If we deeply analyze our emotions, there is always an underlying expectation that leads to suffering. In this case, the expectation is that other family members should start taking responsibility for their health. Everyone goes through a wellness journey. The starting points of this journey will be different. It is unlikely that our journeys will be synced with our spouses. We can't coerce them into starting this journey through logic, explanation, or fear. The motivation has to come from within. Until then, all we can do is have complete trust in the Universe and believe that our loved ones will also begin their journey soon.
I heard this phrase in a workshop - to influence others, just focus on your journey. This argument has merit - we cannot change anyone else, but ourselves and our behaviors. But will this eventually lead to influencing family members?
As I pondered deeper, I arrived at this conclusion.
Each of us acts as a transmitter of energy based on our thoughts and actions. When we make healthy choices, such actions emit energy into our external environment. These can ONLY influence others when their RECEIVERS are switched ON and tuned to receive our energy frequency.
That's precisely why I believe it is easier to influence young children, with our lifestyle choices. Their receivers are always ready to receive the energies from others at home.
But for adults (spouse, parents, in-laws, etc), their receivers might either be tuned to other frequencies or might be too distracted to receive our energies.
When will their receivers be ready? When they understand their NEEDs - the need for wellbeing, need for ease, and need for peace.


DYNAMIC NEUROMUSCULAR STABILISATION
Also known as DNS, this is a rehabilitation approach which stimulates movement control centres in the brain
to activate how our bodies were meant to move by restoring & stabilising locomotor function.
DNS Courses - 2023
The “Prague School” of Rehabilitation and Manual Medicine was established by key neurologists & physiatrists who have researched and developed key exercises and techniques, to teach and train 'optimal movement'.
The Prague School have created a video to explains the principles of DNS...
What is DNS?
The nervous system establishes programs that control human posture, movement and gait. This ‘motor control’ is largely established during the first critical years of life.
DNS Courses
DNS courses teach the ideal stabilization patterns using specific functional exercises.
These exercises can and are used in many disciplines from patient treatment to athletes seeking optimal performance.
As a Prague School Certified Instructor, Inger offers a variety of levels of DNS training. For further information on the qualification process, see below link.
What Course Can I do?
DNS courses cover a wide range of areas, specialties & levels.
Practitioner courses geared for licensed health professionals.
Exercise courses are designed to introduce DNS principles as it relates to exercise and fitness training. For clarity, please see our guide to DNS


By: Betsy Johnson
The Department of Labor (DOL) is becoming increasingly “tech” savvy since Hilda Solis became the Secretary of Labor. Recently, the DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a website to assist employers in fulfilling their recordkeeping and reporting obligations under federal law. The link to the OSHA Advisor is: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/osharecordkeeping.htm
The OSHA Recordkeeping Advisor is intended to help employers determine:
Whether an injury or illness (or related event) is work-related Whether an event or exposure at home or on travel is work-related Whether an exception applies to the injury or illness Whether a work-related injury or illness needs to be recorded Which provisions of the regulations apply when recording a work-related case
The tool is web-based and interactive. However, any information provided by employers while using the tool is not saved by or sent to the DOL. While the tool can provide some basic assistance in understanding OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements, given the significant fines and penalties that employers face for OSHA violations, employers should consult with their OSHA advisor and not rely solely on the information obtained from the OSHA Advisor.


Invention Library Hierarchical Structures for Isothermal Compression / Expansion for Energy Storage
The investigators have found cost-effective isothermal compression and expansion of gaseous streams is achievable through vasculatures with lung-like gas flow paths embedded in phase change material (PCM) or thermochemical materials. Their design is highly scalable; a patent has been applied for.
In previous attempts to obtain isothermal compression / expansion, temperature increase and decrease was managed primarily by spraying liquids into the cylinder of a common piston machine during compression, or by compressing a pre-mixed foam. However, these designs are not scalable and increase the overall system cost.
The inventors project the cost of using their system will be substantially lower than current diabetic plants, because the multiple compressors and coolers of current diabatic plants will be replaced by a single isothermal compressor. The Lorente-Bejan invention features a scalable design, for all sizes of CAES plants, particularly for the basic compressor of a large power plant.
Further, energy storage is critical to the use and implementation of renewable energies such as wind. Isothermal CAES (I-CAES) provides the potential for green, efficient, and scalable energy storage that holds several advantages over current energy storage methods, such as eliminating the need for batteries that require limited rare earth elements.
Unique Attributes Dendritic airflow architecture allows for more uniform and efficient air compression and expansion with lower power demands. Energy storage material linings consisting of phase change or thermochemical materials improve temperature control over existing I-CAES technologies. These materials allow the invention to offer a self-controlling and energy-regeneration solution compatible with sensors already present in many mechanical sensors. The invention will allow plant operators to control, to reduce, and to spread the sources of thermodynamic irreversibility, which if not controlled, are to blame for the temperature increase during compression. Applications
Any industrial process, including those in the chemical, construction, manufacturing, and storage industries, that requires compressing / expanding gas.
Energy storage is critical to the use and implementation of renewable energies such as wind.


This Toronto Centre note covers climate-related risks, how the financial sector should respond, and what supervisors can do. It assists supervisors to: i) understand climate-related risks most relevant to the financial sector, including transition and physical risks; ii) understand ways in which organizations operating in the financial sector might respond to these risks, through their governance, strategies, risk management, metrics and targets, and disclosures; and iii) identify steps that financial sector supervisors can take in response to climate change.


With its 5,000+ years of history, astrology is one of the oldest integrated systems of knowledge in the world. It’s been championed by some of history’s greatest scholars and philosophers, from Ancient Egypt to the Roman Empire to the Renaissance and beyond.
Astrology is grounded in predictable planetary patterns — yet mainstream science has yet to embrace this body of wisdom and connect the dots between astrological causes and effects.
According to
Rick Tarnas, a Harvard-trained philosopher and former astrology skeptic, archetypal astrology explores the connection between planetary patterns in the solar system and archetypal patterns in human experience — and holds remarkable predictive value for the essence of each period in history.
When Rick shared his findings with
Stan Grof, the eminent founder of transpersonal psychology and one of the foremost thinkers of our day, they came to see that each of us is born as an individual expression of the archetypal energies that are saturating the collective at the time.
In the above video,
Rick explains how archetypal astrology connects the individual psyche to the cosmos...
Don’t miss these highlights in this insightful video, as Rick shares:
(0:00) — The reason why all of astrology is archetypal (0:31) — Why Carl Jungrevived the term archetype (1:11) — The principle that explains why we see beauty in the world around us (3:00) — The surprising 40-year-old discovery that led to breakthroughs in our understanding of human psyche Rick has some truly fascinating wisdom to share. I hope you’ll set aside a few minutes to watch.


Travel, whether for work or pleasure, can take a toll on our bodies through stress, fatigue, and exposure to countless pathogens. Savvy jetsetters understand how crucial it is to maintain a healthy immune system before, during, and after work trips and vacations to avoid getting sick.
So, if you plan to brave crowded Dubai airport, particularly in the busy summer months, consider adding the nutrient-rich superfood, bone broth, to your daily routine today. Why? We’re glad you asked!
First, let’s delve into why we’re prone to falling ill during travel. Then we will explore how consuming bone broth is an easy and natural way to boost your immunity and avoid sickness.
Why do we get sick during or after travel?
Whether you’re hitting the bitumen for a family road trip or flying across the globe, travel can increase your chances of getting sick for several reasons, including:
Travel-related anxiety and stress Jet-lag Inadequate or alternate diets Contaminated food or water Exposure to pathogens in public spaces, such as airplanes, trains, buses, restrooms, and restaurants.
The above factors can contribute to falling ill during or after travel, yet many are unavoidable. For example, boarding a plane, visiting public places, or navigating crowds are common and often necessary travel experiences that potentially expose you to countless pathogens.
Experts believe the flu and other airborne viruses can spread up to six feet away via droplets made when people sneeze, cough, or talk.
In addition to the high likelihood of transmission in an enclosed space, air travel poses a unique set of risks to our immune systems. Although commercial passenger aircraft have high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which filter microscopic particles from the air, cabins have low humidity levels.
Studies show that low humidity (i.e., dry air) can reduce tissue repair and dry up the mucosa in the nose.
Therefore, exposure to dry air increases your risk of infection with the flu or other airborne viruses.
Now we know why it’s common to fall sick during or after traveling, it’s time to explore how HAPI Bone Broth can boost your immune system.
How can bone broth boost your immunity?
Travel-related respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses are more common than you may think. According to a cohort study of 460 people, 79% of participants fell ill during or after their trip.
You can do many things to avoid sickness while traveling, including washing your hands, eating well, and avoiding tap water. However, to stay healthy abroad, your preparation should begin with eating an immune-boosting diet before you depart.
Quality broth, such as HAPI Bone Broth, contains bio-available minerals and micronutrients that support a healthy immune system. These vitamins and minerals are extracted from the animal bones and connective tissues during the prolonged simmering process.
Vitamins and minerals
HAPI Bone Broth uses high-quality ingredients ranging from premium seasonings to organic animal bones and tissues, containing potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals.
Consuming a healthy diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals is vital to maintaining a healthy immune system. Micronutrients play various roles in helping our immune systems function optimally.
For example, vitamin A and zinc regulate cell division, which is essential for a proliferative immune response. Zinc, as found in bone broth, is also an antioxidant and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Drinking or cooking with bone broth is a simple and tasty way to support optimal immune function and meet your nutrition needs. Adding bone broth to your meals or drinks can boost your immune system in the weeks leading up to your departure.
Gelatin and collagen
Gelatin is simply hydrolyzed collagen, where proteins are broken down into smaller peptides during the integral process of simmering the bone and cartilage in beef, lamb, and chicken bone broth.
One-third of the total protein in our bodies is collagen, and it makes up the main component of our connective tissues, such as skin, cartilage, tendons, and bone. Collagen and gelatine are great sources of amino acids, including glycine and glutamine.
Glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and helps maintain healthy sleep cycles. It is important to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep in the days and weeks leading up to your trip. One study found that poor sleep before exposure to the common cold virus (rhinovirus) can increase your chances of falling ill.
Glutamine supports the immune system by maintaining healthy gut barrier function and intestinal immunity. Other amino acids, such as arginine and cysteine, also boost our immunity and reduce inflammation.
Therefore, drinking bone broth boosts your immune system by maintaining healthy gut function, supporting cellular immune responses, and reducing inflammation. As a bonus, it also tastes great!#
Other travel health tips
By now, you’ve likely gained a good understanding of why we often fall sick while traveling and the science behind why bone broth benefits our immune systems. Consuming a healthy diet in the weeks leading up to travel is a crucial step in preparing your body for the stress, excitement, and fatigue of travel. Further, maintaining a healthy diet during your travels will also benefit your health, as we all know airplane meals often lack nutrition (and flavor).
By drinking bone broth or adding it to your meals, you can increase your daily intake of bio-available minerals and micronutrients and even improve your sleeping patterns.
Additional steps you can take to avoid getting sick while traveling include:
Exercise:physical activity helps your immune system by improving the circulation of immune cells that combat pathogens. Be hygienic:wash your hands with soap, avoid frequently touching your face, and use sanitizer. Reduce stress:planning a holiday can be stressful. As stress can weaken your immune response, it’s crucial to find time for activities that manage your stress levels, including meditation, yoga, walking, or listening to music.
In summary, many of us eagerly look forward to traveling and creating memories in new places. However, getting sick during or after a trip is an unfortunate reality for many travelers. Thankfully, there are practical ways to give you and your loved ones the best chance of staying healthy on your travels, such as enhancing your daily diet with the superfoods such as HAPI Bone Broth.


Online, via Zoom
How does a country move from a low information-low accountability political equilibrium to one where voters are informed and politicians feel pressure to perform well? This paper explores two broad aspects of this equilibrium shift in the context of a national scale-up of a political information campaign in Sierra Leone. The first looks at the fundamentals of supply and demand for information, measuring i) politician willingness to participate in initiatives that inform voters and how it responds to the introduction of a guaranteed dissemination platform; and ii) voter willingness to pay for information and its compatibility with for-profit private sector dissemination models. The second captures general constraints in scaling a controlled demonstration pilot to serve a much broader population, including displacement effects, spillovers, distributional effects, piloting bias, and the ability to maintain impact while extending reach and lowering cost.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Katherine Casey is an Associate Professor of Political Economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Her research explores the interactions between economic and political forces in developing countries, with a particular interest in the role of information in enhancing political accountability and the influence of foreign aid on economic development. Her work has appeared in the
American Economic Review, Journal of Political Economy, and Quarterly Journal of Economics, among others. She teaches a course in the MBA program focused on firm strategy vis a vis government in emerging markets.
At this time, in-person attendance is limited to Stanford affiliates only. We continue to welcome our greater community to join virtually via Zoom.


By - Pooja Rao on May 30, 2022
Disinvestment is the process of converting money claims or securities into cash or funds. It occurs through the sale or liquidation of a company’s subsidiary or asset. In most cases, disinvestment refers to the government’s partial or entire sale of a governmental company. An entity may divest an asset in a strategic move to raise revenue for general or specific needs (implementation of welfare programs, for example) or to address a sudden cash-flow shortage.
First, the government monitors those projects and industries that are failing to deliver as required and performs regular checks and balances or takes corrective actions to address the shortcomings. Following that, the government investigates methods to revitalize the business. If despite the numerous attempts and corrective measures in place, the business is unable to be revitalized, it is privatized through disinvestment.
The Indian government established the National Investment Fund [NIF] to invest the revenues/proceeds received from the sale of Central Public Sector Enterprises [CPSE]. Under the NIF, the Fund would be managed to create long-term revenues for the government while not depleting the corpus.
When the new economic policy was introduced in 1991, the government pinpointed causes such as the pricing practices of government agencies, under-utilization of capacity in project planning and development, labour, staff, management issues, lack of self-sufficiency, etc. on numerous loss-making public sector undertakings.
As a result, the government has acknowledged the necessity to eliminate these divisions and refocus on the objective of creating such entities that benefit society. Furthermore, the government chose to exit non-core businesses, particularly those in which the private sector had made considerable investments.
Disinvestment occurs in six ways. They are:
To use any of these techniques, a seven-step process must be followed. The protocol is also available on the website of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management. Due to the technical and intricate nature of transactions, as well as the demand for transparency and fairness, the process of disinvesting in individual CPSEs has evolved and is now based on inter-ministerial discussions and the engagement of professionals and experts. The steps are as follows:
Political interference, poor management, and labour issues played a vital role in Air India’s decline. In 2007, the airline merged with India Airlines. Air India’s senior executives lacked decision-making authority due to political impingement, resulting in a lack of focused, proactive, and long-term business planning.
With these considerations in mind, the NITI Aayog suggested that Air India should be sold in 2018.
Since then, the following steps have been followed:
As of March 31
st 2019, the airline’s total debt was approximately a total sum of INR 60,000 crore. This debt was a major reason behind the disinvestment. As the current status stands, the new owners i.e., Tata will bear responsibility for INR 15,300 crore and pay an additional INR 2,700 crore in cash to the government.
Privatizing Air India may aid it in regaining its former grandeur – which is sorely needed given how heavily in debt the corporation is. Even if deemed prudent, the government is not authorized to redirect tax revenues to a loss-making unit. Therefore, a reduction in loss-making entities shall have a directly proportional relationship with reduced tax collection from the general public. Hence, reduced taxation means more money for healthcare, education, and other public services.
Despite the government’s efforts to salvage Air India, the situation has remained unchanged for years. This implies that the system has serious weaknesses and that diverting taxpayers is not indefinitely rewarded. The implication is that it is preferable to privatize the losing unit to make the most use of taxpayers' money, leading to a favourable situation for everyone.
Contributed by Pooja Rao, Associate


Abstract
The ubiquitously expressed ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF
1) is a mitochondrial protein that blocks the reversal of the F 1F o-ATPsynthase, preventing dissipation of cellular ATP and ischemic damage. IF 1 suppresses programmed cell death, enhancing tumor invasion and chemoresistance, and is expressed in various types of human cancers. In this study, we examined its effect on mitochondrial redox balance and apoptotic cristae remodeling, finding that, by maintaining ATP levels, IF 1 reduces glutathione (GSH) consumption and inactivation of peroxiredoxin 3 (Prx3) during apoptosis. This correlates with inhibition of metallopeptidase OMA1-mediated processing of the pro-fusion dynamin-related protein optic atrophy 1 (OPA1). Stabilization of OPA1 impedes cristae remodeling and completion of apoptosis. Taken together, these data suggest that IF 1 acts on both mitochondrial bioenergetics and structure, is involved in mitochondrial signaling in tumor cells, and may underlie their proliferative capacity. Keywords cancer IF mitochondria OMA1 OPA1 Prxs ROS ASJC Scopus subject areas Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)


Published by Equipo GNOSS
01/08/2018
Artificial intelligence is technology that appears to emulate human performance typically by learning, coming to its own conclusions, appearing to understand complex content, engaging in natural dialogs with people, enhancing human cognitive performance (also known as cognitive computing) or replacing people on execution of nonroutine tasks. Applications include autonomous vehicles, automatic speech recognition and generation and detecting novel concepts and abstractions (useful for detecting potential new risks and aiding humans quickly understand very large bodies of ever changing information).


Throughout the year, students in grades K-1 will be observed for gifted qualities that include multiple criteria within the following areas: advanced language, motivational and analytical thinking, accelerated learning, sense of humor, and leadership qualities based on the Kingore Observation Inventory Tool. GRO teachers will share findings from these observations with the homeroom teacher and offer support as needed. Additionally, starting in the 2022-2023 school year, grade 1 students will be evaluated in December by formal assessments using multiple measures.
Students (in grades 2-5) considered eligible for the GRO program are evaluated in May/June by formal assessments using multiple measures. These multiple measures include, but are not limited to, Gifted Ability Tests, District Benchmarks, Gifted Indicator Rating Scale, etc. Students who were previously in a gifted and talented program in another school district will be tested using our multiple measures.


Abstract
With the rapid development of internet-of-things (IoT), face scrambling has been proposed for privacy protection during IoT-targeted image/video distribution. Consequently in these IoT applications, biometric verification needs to be carried out in the scrambled domain, presenting significant challenges in face recognition. Since face models become chaotic signals after scrambling/encryption, a typical solution is to utilize traditional data-driven face recognition algorithms. While chaotic pattern recognition is still a challenging task, in this paper we propose a new ensemble approach - Many-Kernel Random Discriminant Analysis (MK-RDA) to discover discriminative patterns from chaotic signals. We also incorporate a salience-aware strategy into the proposed ensemble method to handle chaotic facial patterns in the scrambled domain, where random selections of features are made on semantic components via salience modelling. In our experiments, the proposed MK-RDA was tested rigorously on three human face datasets: the ORL face dataset, the PIE face dataset and the PUBFIG wild face dataset. The experimental results successfully demonstrate that the proposed scheme can effectively handle chaotic signals and significantly improve the recognition accuracy, making our method a promising candidate for secure biometric verification in emerging IoT applications.
Original language English Pages (from-to) 1807-1817 Journal IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security Volume 11 Issue number 8 Early online date 21 Apr 2016 DOIs Publication status E-pub ahead of print - 21 Apr 2016


I recently joined the team as Spirit of America’s newest Middle East Project Manager. Prior to joining the team, I was on active duty in the US Army for eight years and had deployed to the Middle East three times. I was delighted to return to the region soon after coming on board. My first trip as a Project Manager gave me the chance to meet our Special Operations and local partners diligently working to increase stability and counter malign influences.
My first stop was Amman, Jordan, where I linked up with my colleagues Zack and Isaac. The three of us participated in a donation ceremony at the Jordan Center for Counter Extremism (JCCE). The JCCE is a newly established academic facility for military and government leaders where students conduct in-depth research and devise effective strategies to combat violent extremism. The ceremony marked the opening of the center’s research facility, which was completed with Spirit of America’s donation of nearly 1,100 books and documents relating to countering extremism and related topics.
Jordan is one of America’s closest allies in the Middle East, and this event highlighted the continued partnership between both nations. I am glad to see that this facility will provide a significant resource to address the challenges posed by extremism.
This need was originally identified by an Army team working to support the US Embassy in Amman. Interestingly, I was in the same unit as this team during my active duty service, during which I had worked alongside Spirit of America as a soldier. I found it equally rewarding to work alongside my former military peers as a Project Manager to address this critical effort.
Next stop was Beirut, Lebanon. At first glance, it was hard to picture Beirut as once being the frontline of a prolonged and brutal civil war. The Lebanese coastline is a picturesque setting of endless high-rises wedged between mountains and the glimmering Mediterranean Sea. One would think that conflict and strife are things of the past in today’s modern Lebanon. However, the peace that exists is fragile, threatened by the turmoil that afflicts neighboring countries throughout the region. Fortunately, US service members maintain a strong partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and continue to build their capacity. While in Lebanon, Zack and I sat down with multiple US Army teams, where we identified future projects to help these teams and their LAF partners succeed.
Now back in the United States, I eagerly await my next trip to the region. It is incredibly exciting to be part of an awesome team and have the chance to work alongside US troops and diplomats in the Middle East. Thank you to our gracious donors whose support makes our work possible. Your contributions have a significant impact on the frontline, and we could not be more grateful for your generosity.
I look forward to sharing future updates on my work and travels; until next time!


The Sudan is in a critical transition period. The loss of oil revenues after South Sudan became an independent country in July 2011 resulted in a dramatic economic downturn, which has diminished the amount of government resources available for public services. Almost half of all Sudanese live below the national poverty line. The country faces severe challenges in reaching Millennium Development Goal targets.


How can we best rebuild American manufacturing? One place to start is the Defense Manufacturing Communities Support Program, a dynamic new model aimed at mobilizing communities to address the urgent manufacturing needs key to our national security. The program builds on a successful Commerce Department pilot program that organized 24 communities to implement coordinated plans to bolster their local manufacturing economies. These new designated manufacturing communities are poised to modernize the defense industrial base—improving its readiness, its supply chains, and its skilled workforce.
Join us on Thursday, May 9, to hear from Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT) and a panel featuring local leaders and national experts who will explore how this model has spurred lasting public-private and collaboration in manufacturing communities, and is set to expand into new communities and serve as a cornerstone for federal manufacturing policy.
This event is hosted by the House Manufacturing Caucus and is co-sponsored by The American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative, The Century Foundation, and the Northeast Midwest Institute.
Event Details
Thursday, May 9, 2019
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Longworth House Office Building
Room B208 15 Independence Ave SE Washington, DC 20515 Speakers Congressman David Cicilline U.S. House of Representatives (D-RI) Congressman Chris Stewart U.S. House of Representatives (R-UT) Matt Bogoshian Executive Director, The American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC) Andrew Stettner Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation Note: Additional speakers to be confirmed soon.


Factors To Consider When Waterproofing Your Basement
It’s important to properly waterproof your basement to prevent damage and protect the rest of your home. When considering waterproofing options, there are a few key factors to keep in mind.
First, assess the source of the water infiltration. Is it due to exterior factors such as heavy rainfall or faulty grading around the foundation? Or is it caused by interior issues like plumbing leaks or humidity? Identifying the source can help determine the most effective solution.
Another important factor is the condition of your basement walls. If they are cracked or damaged, they may need to be repaired before waterproofing measures can be effectively applied.
Finally, consider any potential health and safety hazards that could arise from waterproofing, such as mould growth or inappropriate drainage. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that your basement is properly protected from water damage.


Niagara County Landfill No. 1
Niagara County Landfill No. 1 is an unlined landfill situated within a limestone quarry. After the site was closed and clay cap was installed, impacts to groundwater were identified. Another consultant recommended a remediation strategy costing $12M. CHA recommended constructing an alternate cap using a ClosureTurf® system, installing additional leachate collection infrastructure, and monitored natural attenuation to address the groundwater contamination.
This remediation plan was accepted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and implemented at 25% of the cost of the original proposal. CHA flew a drone weekly to monitor the progress of construction and to verify work completed by the contractor. The use of ClosureTurf® results in a finished look that is clean, always green, and does not require mowing. No erosional ruts develop, and stormwater runoff is sediment free, resulting in a significant decrease in post-closure care costs where the post-closure monitoring period is typically 30 years.
Awards: 2021 ACEC New York Engineering Excellence Awards – Diamond Award (Environmental) 2021 ACEC National Engineering Excellence Awards – National Recognition Award Project Services: Complete Design Construction Administration Construction Observation


The global location of things market size was valued at USD 5,562.1 million in 2016 and is presumed to gain traction over the forecast period. The increasing penetration of internet of things (IoT) and connected device technologies along with the rising demand for location-based services are presumed to bolster the growth of the market.
Rising investments in IoT technologies and increased demand for location-based services are expected to further accelerate the market growth. Companies such as Samsung, Intel, and Qualcomm are making significant investments to create innovation labs focusing on IoT technologies and IoT-enabled services. Innovative technology start-ups such as Pixie Technology, Filament, and Greenwave Systems have managed to secure significant funding through various venture capitalists and collaborations with technology firms.
However, in this connected environment, issues pertaining to privacy and security such as unauthorized access, fraud, system malfunctions, and other risks can hinder the market growth. Various networking challenges related to speed, capacity, complexity, and availability are also anticipated to affect the industry growth.
The mapping and navigation application accounts for nearly 32.6% of the location of things market, acquiring a major share of the overall revenue. IoT enables location tracking and monitoring in a bid to connect different appliances and devices through the internet. It also enables real-time communications with users.
The mapping and navigation technology enables users to track and monitor the movement of various physical devices. This technology is most commonly used in navigation services, where users are able to find the shortest and best route between destinations. The mobile location technology has been gaining a lot of traction for social engagements such as location-based marketing, advertising, location finders, points of interest, and others.
Location technologies have various potential uses in industrial sectors, offering applications such as asset management and location intelligence services. Technology firms and service providers are innovating and deploying a wide range of solutions for organizations that can deliver operational efficiencies.
Location of things solutions have been widely adopted as they offer a variety of potential uses across various industries. The transportation and logistics vertical is expected to be the highest growing sector followed by the manufacturing and industrial vertical. Advancements in sensor technology, network communication, and location techniques have been a key enabler of various innovative location-based solutions.
Other verticals have found ways to incorporate location technologies to optimize business processes and offer differentiated products. IoT technologies enable a collection of a variety of data with location data being one of the aspects. Organizations utilize this data to identify trends and patterns regarding customer behavior to offer personalization, location-based content, and reduced time-to-delivery.
The North American region is expected to lead the global location of things market in 2017 with a majority share. Technology proliferation, increased penetration of smartphones, and enhanced network connectivity have led to a faster adoption rate in North America compared to other regions. The presence of major technology players, such as Google, Apple, Qualcomm, and HERE, has led to the growth of the market.
However, the APAC region is expected to be the fastest growing segment, owing to the increased spending on connected devices, investments in various IoT technologies, and increasing demand for personalized services. Organizations are realizing the potential uses of IoT for creating new services and generating new revenue streams, which would ensure future growth of the market.
The market is competitive owing to the presence of various prominent players such as Google, HERE, Qualcomm Technologies, Intel Corporation, Trimble, Pitney Bowes, Bosch, Wireless Logic, Navizon, Inc., Tibco Software, and TruePosition Inc., among others.
Industry players have been focusing on inorganic growth strategies involving mergers and acquisitions of smaller firms to augment their service portfolios and gain a larger share of the market. For example, Google’s acquisition of Nest and Intel’s acquisition of Basis have enabled them to gain an easy entry to the IoT market. Similarly, the acquisition of HERE by a consortium of companies has enabled these companies to develop a new range of services and solutions. Major technology players are also investing in innovation labs and centres of excellence and collaborating with various research institutes to further expand their market share.
Base year for estimation
2016
Actual estimates/Historical data
2014 - 2015
Forecast period
2017 - 2025
Representation
Revenue in USD Billion & CAGR from 2017 to 2025
Regional scope
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA
Country scope
U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, China, India, Japan, Brazil, and Mexico
Report coverage
Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends
15% free customization scope (equivalent to 5 analyst working days)
If you need specific market information that is not currently within the scope of the report, we will provide it to you as a part of the customization
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global location of things market on the basis of applications, verticals, and region:
Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)
Mapping and Navigation
Asset Management
Location Intelligence
Media and Marketing Engagement
Vertical Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)
Retail and Consumer Goods
Government, Defense, and Utilities
Manufacturing and Industrial
Transportation and Logistics
Healthcare
Others
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)
North America
The U.S.
Canada
Europe
The U.K.
Germany
Asia Pacific
India
China
Japan
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Middle East & Africa (MEA)
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Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) solutions are anticipated to substantially contribute while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and address continuously evolving challenges. The existing situation owing to the outbreak of the epidemic will inspire pharmaceutical vendors and healthcare establishments to improve their R&D investments in AI, acting as a core technology for enabling various initiatives. The insurance industry is expected to confront the pressure associated with cost-efficiency. Usage of AI can help in reducing operating costs, and at the same time, can increase customer satisfaction during the renewal process, claims, and other services. VR/AR can assist in e-learning, for which the demand will surge owing to the closure of many schools and universities. Further, VR/AR can also prove to be a valuable solution in providing remote assistance as it can support in avoiding unnecessary travel. The report will account for Covid19 as a key market contributor.


By David Lichter
Each of us in some small way, if not a dramatic and tragic way, has experienced some sort of disaster. When we reflect back on it, we recall how disorienting it was and how it infected every part of our life – emotional, spiritual, physical, financial, etc. How filled with anxiety and terror we were; how preoccupying it was! Perhaps it resulted in the dislocation of home and disconnection of relationship.
Spirituality is defined in the
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Third Edition, as “the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose, and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to the self, to others, to nature, and/or to the significant or sacred.” So when we consider the experience of disaster, it cannot but be inextricably tied to one’s spirituality as one’s whole framework of meaning and purpose, and connectedness, is threatened and disordered.
From this perspective, we are all the more grateful to our NACC members who have committed themselves to not only being trained and available for disaster spiritual care, but also surrender abruptly their normalcy to throw themselves into the lives of those who have experienced disaster. While they willingly give themselves to this ministry, they still encounter the fallout of the experience as people sort through the debris and loss, try to make meaning, and seek connection to the self, other, what nature has done, and how God is involved. Thank you, our brothers and sisters, for this ministry!
The Business Side of Chaplaincy
I recently met a businessman at a local fundraiser. He is head of a firm that provides diverse services to healthcare systems, particularly working on data support systems within the Accountable Care Organizations. When I explained what I did, he showed his interest and belief in the value of spiritual care. I mentioned that some research evidences the impact of spiritual care (or the lack of addressing spiritual/religious distress) on health outcomes, length of stay, treatment choices. He quickly commented, “I am not aware of such research.” He asked if I would send him some articles, which I did. Within days I heard from his secretary, and we scheduled a meeting.
When we spoke further, he commented that we need to identify the data sets to track. Right now, we do not have them. We both agreed that if the data of chaplains’ work does not somehow tie to improved patient well-being, fewer readmissions, less expensive and risky treatments, and more reliance on community resources, it will be a tough ride ahead to keep chaplaincy. He was a supporter, but from a business perspective, needs to have the data to advocate for it. Sound familiar?
If you did not recently read an article in the APC E-News, February 2014, Volume 16, No.1, by James Backing, M.Div., I encourage you to do so. As a businessman, he too provides an outside look at chaplaincy. He is the director of clinical integration at Thyssen-Meinhoff Group in Troy, MI, and has been an affiliate member of APC. He observes the challenges to making a case for chaplaincy, but believes chaplains can do so. He notes that research into the profession is only a limited part of the value equation. He states that chaplains must be able to make their case as, “We know exactly who we are, exactly what we do and have the data that demonstrates why we do it.” He makes the plea that “the least expected position for chaplains to take is that they can leverage the emotional intimacy and spiritual connection they have with clients to ensure an improved sense of well-being, a reduction in litigation and a reliance on community resources rather than hospital visits.”
So, these two businessmen are on the same page and provide the challenge we hear every day directly or indirectly. As hours are reduced and positions eliminated, we need to press forward on all fronts to build the case. In that light, we are also grateful to HealthCare Chaplaincy Network’s efforts to drive recent research efforts with funding through the John Templeton Foundation and presenting results of the six research projects at the
Caring for the Human Spirit: Driving the Research Agenda for Spiritual Care in Health Care Conference, March 31-April 3, 2014 in New York. While the program is long, the conference fee is very reasonable. They are also offering a virtual conference/webcast option. This will be a very worthwhile, even historic event.


For enabling automatic deployment and management of cellular networks, the concept of self-organizing network (SON) was introduced. SON capabilities can enhance network performance, improve service quality, and reduce operational and capital expenditure (OPEX/CAPEX). As an important component in SON, self-healing is defined as a network paradigm where the faults of target networks are mitigated or recovered by automatically triggering a series of actions such as detection, diagnosis and compensation. Data-driven machine learning has been recognized as a powerful tool to bring intelligence into network and to realize self-healing. However, there are major challenges for practical applications of machine learning techniques for self-healing. In this article, we first classify these challenges into five categories: 1) data imbalance, 2) data insufficiency, 3) cost insensitivity, 4) non-real-time response, and 5) multi-source data fusion. Then we provide potential technical solutions to address these challenges. Furthermore, a case study of cost-sensitive fault detection with imbalanced data is provided to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the suggested solutions.


How an Agile Mindset Founded an Offset of Mentorship Originally posted on Plato
Recently, I made a post on LinkedIn that ended up going viral. I don’t have a huge following, but my post was centered around mentorship, which seemed to resonate with a large audience. The post itself was a take on the emblem featured on users’ profiles that says “open to work.” At the time, my company was not hiring; however, I wanted to make myself available to these job searchers.
On a whim, I duplicated LinkedIn’s emblem, changing it to yellow and titling it “open to help.” The meaning was simple, I would review job seekers’ resumes, help them practice their interview skills or anything else they needed. At the time of writing this article, the post had over 2 million views on LinkedIn. While the social media fame was exciting, the most notable part of this experience was that others added the emblem to their profile, labeling themselves “open to help”.
What Exactly is Micro-Mentorship?
STARTING WITH AN AGILE MINDSET:
Five years ago, I really started to shift the way I thought. I realized that an agile mindset could be used in other places outside of software development. Implementing agile into the rest of my work and life was a fundamental shift revolving around maximizing value, while minimizing effort. I became more iterative and had faster cycles, allowing me to have more immediate feedback loops.
With that in mind, I began taking on a larger workload without becoming overwhelmed. The agile mindset put focus on incremental, bite-sized work that led up to the completion of full-time projects. In the same light, I came to realize that standard mentorship programs can be overwhelming when tasked with mentoring multiple individuals.
USING AGILE WHILE MENTORING:
So I thought about creating the yellow emblem on LinkedIn to represent a micro-mentorship program. From an outside perspective, it seemed like a lot of effort, but what I learned was that the challenges that mentees face are fairly similar.
There are always specifics related to an individual, which is where standard mentorship begins to diverge, but many of these common challenges are simple to solve without a customized program.
During regular mentorship, there are a lot of things people can accomplish. The only problem is that it takes a significant dedication of time on both sides, which can be difficult for senior-level leaders. Instead of 30-minute meetings on a recurring schedule, micro-mentorship is tailored to the individuals in the program; it’s mentorship framed in an agile mindset.
Micro-mentorship happens via Slack, email, or another communication platform, meaning that it’s not necessary to schedule zoom meetings. On the other hand, a video chat would suffice when these conversations become more of a back and forth and involve an emotional tie-in.
Micro-mentorship falls short when it comes to considerable career challenges, such as those looking for mentorship based on growth. These problems require more traditional relationships and a longer dedication of time.
Why not just content creation?
The challenge I've seen with just publishing mentoring-related content is it too one-sided and impersonal. At the end of the day, mentorship - in any form - is a relationship between two people around a specific need or needs. An article, video - while helpful, misses the value a one-on-one mentoring connection provides.
Micro Mentorship is the happy middle. It is smaller in scope, more immediate in value, while still directly relevant and personal. It's incremental, and therefore easier for one person to scale.


58,461 IDPs (11,698 households) have been identified by the DTM in July 2016 in seven targeted provinces. The majority of IDPs identified in July 2016 left their homes due to the current socio-political situation (66%). 33% of IDPs fled due to natural disasters. 1% of IDPs have left their communities of origin for other reasons. Most IDPs identified during assessments are living with host families (79%).


Abstract
Young patients with Tourette Syndrome (TS) can exhibit poor emotional control and aggression. We explored anger in young patients with TS. Twenty-five patients diagnosed with TS and 41 healthy controls completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI). Parents and teachers completed the child behavior checklist and Conners Parent/Teacher Rating Scales-Revised. STAXI scores were not significantly different between patients with TS and controls. However, many proxy-rated measures linked to anger and externalizing problems were significantly higher in TS. As proxy-rated instruments revealed more oppositional and aggressive behaviors in young patients with TS, they are important in the multidimensional assessment of TS. These findings offer useful insights into the nature of anger symptoms in young patients with TS and provide a basis for more effective diagnosis and management.
ASJC Scopus subject areas Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health Clinical Psychology Developmental and Educational Psychology


Abstract
Although high-risk situations have been identified for alcoholism, opiate abuse, and smoking, further research is needed to identify high-risk situations for cocaine abuse. A 233-item Cocaine High-Risk Situations Survey was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and was administered to 179 cocaine users in treatment. Situations that occurred infrequently or that were not often associated with cocaine use were eliminated and the remaining 89 items were factor analyzed using half the sample with confirmatory factor analysis on the remainder of the sample. Only one factor was found for frequency of cocaine use in these situations. The 21 items with high factor loadings and a diverse range of content were retained for subsequent analyses and renamed the Cocaine High-Risk Situations Questionnaire (CHRSQ). Reliability and convergent and discriminant validity of this scale were demonstrated. Frequency of alcohol use in the same situations was not significantly related to cocaine use and abuse, supporting discriminant validity. The findings suggest that the frequency of ongoing cocaine use is not determined by specific situations. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
ASJC Scopus subject areas Neuroscience(all) Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Psychiatry and Mental health


THE spectre of the climate emergency looms ever more menacingly over the planet.
In a 2018 report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changed issued a stark warning of dire consequences of exceeding a 1.5 degrees celsius rise in global temperatures.
Politicians, activists and policymakers across the world are proposing radical solutions to address potential climate catastrophe.
In this week’s podcast, our team examines what governments can do to mitigate the impacts climate change.
In the meantime, listen to the previous episodes of our podcast here.
Redaction cannot survive without your help. Support us for as little as $1 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RedactionPolitics.


Using survey data from 364 employees of four mid-sized pharmaceutical companies in India, we tested the relationship between propensity to trust and the three components of organizational commitment. Standardized measures of propensity to trust and organizational commitment were administered after creating temporal separation in data collection to control common source variance. Results supported most hypotheses. Propensity to trust was found to correlate significantly with affective commitment (Adj. R 2 = 0.09) and normative commitment (Adj. R 2 = 0.07). The relationship between propensity to trust and continuance commitment was significant but weak. The relationship between propensity to trust and perceived trustworthiness of supervisor, peers and organization was also significant. This suggests that propensity to trust, a stable dispositional variable, had an impact on commitment of employees. The trait variable also had an impact on perceptions of trustworthiness. Our findings suggest that organizations can ‘manage’ commitment through trust created by organizational practices and systems. Organizations need to foster trust among employees by way of transparent and clearly communicated policies. Organizations that are perceived as being trustworthy are likely to have employees with higher level of involvement in organizational activities.


The SIGHT Fellows Programme promotes a global transformation for health by linking various disciplines and actors to the global health field, addressing complex planetary and human challenges, in low and lower-middle income countries.
The second cohort includes ten Fellows of seven nationalities (Nepal, Iran, India, Spain, UK, USA and Sweden) from six Swedish universities. They have begun their joint journey contributing to global health by interlinking their expertise on climate and environment, peace and conflict, and child health. The result will be interdisciplinary global health actions while connecting to global health actors, as they advance evidence-informed policy supporting the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda.
Fellows get to build networks with global health actors from all sectors and understand their role and work, bridging collaboration between sectors and informing policy development. With training in intersectoral action, they learn how diverse sectors can intentionally shape new ways of collaborating and learning to transform situations and achieve shared goals.
They are also engaged in interdisciplinary global health projects, including scientific articles, and participate and run sessions at global health conferences, such as the Development Research Conference (DevRes) 2022 and the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) 2023.
Fellows work in parallel as change agents, reviewing their university home institutions’ strategies and policies to address steps in facilitating interdisciplinary global health work on a larger scale within and between universities.
News about the SIGHT Fellows Programme
To be updated.
Fellows 2021–2023: By equipping Fellows with knowledge and networks they can exchange, learn and grow, to lead research with an impact


Authorities in the UAE are intensifying efforts to control the spread of mosquitos as part of the second phase of a major campaign.
Over the next four months, pest control teams will be dispatched to construction and commercial sites, schools, residential areas, farms, parks and race tracks.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) is implementing the programme in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and local government entities in each emirate.
They have called on the public to fully co-operate with the teams who can be recognised through their distinctive uniforms.
MoCCAE completed the first phase of the programme between 2019 and 2021.
The second phase, which runs until 2025, involves surveying and monitoring mosquito infestation areas and controlling the spread of the pests.
It also includes a dedicated public awareness campaign on the national programme as well as key prevention, health, and safety measures recommended by MoCCAE and MoHAP.


Multiscale Modeling of Granular Matter for Earth and Space Caltech Problems
The goal of the geomechanics group at Caltech is to understand, model, and predict the mechanical behavior of granular materials, and hence contribute to the understanding of a wide range of natural and manmade processes such as liquefaction, landslides, and planetary exploration. Geomechanics aims to describe the mechanical behavior of geologic materials such as soils, rocks, and concrete. While significant progress has been made in understanding material behavior, much of it has been predicated on phenomenology. Access at lower scales was not available and engineering problems had to be solved. However, the phenomenological approach has neared its predictive limits, especially in predicting instabilities, which truly originate at the grain scale. It is only in recent years that access to the grain scale has become available experimentally (e.g., X-ray CT) and computationally (e.g., DEM). Yet most of these grain scale techniques remain qualitative and continue to lack connection with the macroscopic framework (e.g., plasticity theory, critical state soil mechanics).
Approach
In light of the aforementioned advances and challenges, there remain a number of fundamental questions that we are interested in and require answers: what is the micro-origin of macro-strength, strength-dilatancy? How is critical state achieved micromechanically? What is the micromechanical state at the onset of instabilities? Why are instabilities localized or diffused? How do fluid-solid material transitions occur even in granular materials? These questions take our group into the realm of engineering science and provide the intellectual motivation for our interdisciplinary work at Caltech. To attempt answering these fundamental questions, we combine concepts in mechanics, physics, applied math, computational science, and geoscience, to develop a number of computational and analytical tools: novel micromechanical models to compute and measure grain-scale states, accurate macroscopic frameworks, and multiscale techniques to connect macro and micro processes.
Findings
We are currently transforming micromechanical models such as DEM by accounting for particle shapes and by connecting the method directly to advanced experimental techniques based on imaging (e.g., X-ray CT). We have invented a method called granular element method (GEM) that moves beyond photoelasticity and enables the inference of interparticle forces in real (opaque), three dimensional, granular materials. These two techniques promise to transform experimental mechanics by enabling the extraction of kinematics and contact forces at the granular level with an unprecedented level of accuracy. These kinematics and forces at the grain level can then be used within the multiscale techniques that we have pioneered in granular mechanics, where basic plastic internal variables in continuum models are updated directly from the micromechanics. These advances are leading us to develop physics-based constitutive models that can be used to predict instabilities that are localized or diffused, drained or undrained.
Impact
The impact of the current advances in geomechanics is very broad, even in scales. From the micro scale, we can begin to understand the basic mechanisms at the heart of continuum phenomena such as compaction bands and critical state. At the meso scale, we can begin to understand the processes controlling granular flow, which impacts earthquake nucleation and landslides. At the engineering scale, we can begin to understand the complex interaction between rovers and sampling tools under low atmospheric pressure and gravity in celestial bodies or planets. We can begin to abandon phenomenology.
Core competencies Continuum mechanics Finite element modeling Computational particle mechanics Multiscale modeling Combined high-fidelity experimentation and advanced modeling Current research team members: José E. Andrade (PI) Ivan Vlahinic (Senior Postdoc) Toktam Mohammadnejad (Postdoc) Daniel Arthur (Postdoc) Keng-Wit Lim (Ph.D. Candidate) Alex Jerves (Ph.D. Candidate) Utkarsh Mital (Ph.D. Candidate) Ryan Hurley (Ph.D. Candidate) Eloise Marteau (Ph.D. Student) Reid Kawamoto (Ph.D. Student)


This Data Insight,
U.S. Desalination Market Update: Policies, Projects & Trends, 2015,
Bluefield’s critical analysis of more than 35 projects in the pipeline across multiple states will require a break from historical trends. Permitting and regulatory frameworks must continue to evolve at the state-level for more increased activity.
This Data Insight highlights the following: Installed desalination capacity by company, location, water source, capacity, technology, 2000-2015 Planned capacity additions by company, location, development phase & status, water source, capacity, technology Water supply and environmental conditions and forecasted water demand Permitting and regulatory frameworks impacting desalination Cost Comparisons to alternative waster supplies


Over the last ten years, the City of Medellín has achieved numerous improvements in its standards for solid waste management. A major contributor to this success has been the implementation of educational programs, regulatory actions, and tools for integrated solid waste management. These initiatives, undertaken by the city’s Secretariat of Environment, have been noteworthy for their emphasis on enhancing the social inclusion of waste collectors.


The Goal
Despite their importance and frequency, ballot questions often cause confusion among voters. As the
Springfield Republican put it during this past election, “To the untrained ear or the unschooled voter, ballot questions sound somewhat like an Abbott and Costello ‘Who’s on First?’ routine.”
The goal of the pilot project, made possible through a partnership between Representative Hecht, the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University and Healthy Democracy, the organization that pioneered CIR in Oregon, is to test whether the CIR system can be similarly helpful to Massachusetts voters in understanding ballot questions.
The Timeline
June 10, 2016: The team will send a mailer to 10,000 randomly selected voters inviting them to participate as panelists for the pilot project. Of those who indicate their willingness to participate, an objective and scientific statistical process will be used to select 20 Massachusetts voters, carefully balanced to ensure that the group reflects the demographics of the overall electorate.
July 12, 2016: The advisory board will select the measure that the CIR will evaluate.
August 25th through 28th 2016:
Professional moderators lead the group of 20 Massachusetts voters through a comprehensive appraisal of the selected ballot measure. The group will hear from the campaign supporting the ballot measure, the campaign opposing the ballot measure, and relevant policy experts. At the end of the four day deliberation, the 20 voters will produce a statement of findings on the ballot measure.
Through Election Day:
Using all forms of media, the team will disseminate the statement of findings as widely as possible across Massachusetts.


What is 409A!?
The term
409A refers to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 409A, which covers taxation of nonqualified deferred compensation. Deferred compensation refers to any compensation to be paid in a future taxable year based on current services provided and the deferral is not elective, such as a 401(k) plan. Section 409A allows employees, consultants, and other service providers to avoid immediate taxation of equity-based compensation awards (typically in the form of common stock options) as long as the equity is granted with an exercise price at or above the Fair Market Value (FMV) as of the grant date.
Section 409A contains several provisions for private companies that, if followed, will provide protection against any potential IRS audit and place the burden on the IRS to demonstrate that the determination of the FMV was “grossly unreasonable.” These provisions, commonly referred to as the
409A Safe Harbor Provisions, allow for valuations to be determined:
By an appraisal prepared by an independent, qualified appraiser as of a date that is (a) within 12 months of the grant date or (b) on or subsequent to a value-changing event occurring within a 12-month period prior to the grant date (herein referred to as the
Independent Appraiser Provision);
Based on a formula that would be considered to be FMV of the subject equity under certain criteria and applied in the same manner for any transfer of such equity; or
By a written report by an individual with “significant knowledge, experience, education, or training” in business valuation, investment banking, financing, accounting, and/or related professions for any equity that meets the definition of “illiquid stock of a start-up corporation” as detailed in Section 409A (herein referred to as the
Illiquid Stock of Start-up Provision).
In our experience the
Independent Appraiser Provision is most commonly followed with the Illiquid Stock of Start-up Provision occasionally followed when grants are made at a company’s inception, before any third-party funding, and the founding team includes a “qualified” individual. Ultimately, the Independent Appraiser Provision allows a company to mitigate additional risk (as compared to the potential consequences of non-compliance and/or an adverse finding by the IRS) and place the burden on the IRS to demonstrate that the estimated FMV is for a relatively minimal fee. "grossly unreasonable" A 409A Valuation should be performed as soon as a private company wants to begin granting equity awards then an updated 409A Valuation should be performed every 12 months or following material, value-changing event, typically considered to be a financing round (please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about whether a recent event, development, milestone, etc. might trigger the need for an updated 409A Valuation). As a best practice, companies at later stages of development (particularly leading up to a potential IPO) will have more frequent, regular updates performed, but we recommend companies at earlier stages of development only perform updates every 12 months or post-financing. When should a 409A Valuation be prepared? Please note that the above discussion was intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax, legal, or related advice/guidance. In addition to speaking with a business appraiser, Concept Analytics LLC recommends obtaining advice/counsel related to any potential valuation needs with your tax, legal, and related advisors as appropriate.


Approximately 80% of patients present with gross painless fresh blood in the urine, while the rest present with microscopic hematuria, seen only after a sample of urine is submitted for microscopic study.
Other symptoms of bladder cancer include difficulty urinating, palpation of a mass in the lower abdominal area, pain in the abdomen due to the mass, weak stream, intermittent urination, straining, urgency or the feeling of being unable to hold urination, retention or the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, and increased frequency or having to urinate more than several times a day.
Secondary urinary infections may also be present in bladder cancer patients due to incomplete urine voiding causing stasis. Urine trapped in the bladder becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, causing infection.
Upper urinary bladder obstruction involving the kidney and the ureters is usually a sign of advanced cancer.


The nation’s heroin epidemic continues on as a pressing public health emergency. Overdose deaths continue to occur at a high rate, while thousands of others visit emergency rooms each year. For those who are ready to break free from heroin addiction, it can be tempting to stop using it cold-turkey. However, heroin withdrawal symptoms can…
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